Mother, child struck by motorist

A mother and her 4-year-old daughter were recovering at area hospitals Monday after being struck by a vehicle Sunday night in Cobb County, authorities said.

Cobb police spokesman Dana Pierce said the child, taken by ambulance to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, was “alert and fine” late Sunday.

The child’s mother was taken by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center, where “her condition is improving,” Pierce said.

Cobb police spokeswoman Cassie Reece identified the mother as Benigna O. Espinoza, 42, of Austell.

Espinoza and her daughter were trying to cross Austell Road near Orange Hill Road when they were struck by a 1999 Ford Contour just before 9 p.m., police said. The 53-year-old driver was questioned by investigators at the scene.

Reece said Monday that the incident was still under investigation, with charges pending.

Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.